Transition-metal-catalyzed carbenoid reactions of sulfonium ylides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/(SICI)1522-2675(19990609)82:6<935::AID-HLCA935>3.0.CO;2-X

Olefins undergo cyclopropanation with diphenylsulfonium (ethoxycarbonyl)methylide (=diphenyl-sulfonium 2-ethoxy-2-oxoethylide; 3a) in the presence of chiral Cu(I) or Rh(II) catalysis, trans/cis Ratios and ee's of the cyclopropanes 6 obtained with this ylide in the presence of a chiral Cu(I) catalyst 7 are identical with those obtained with ethyl diazoacetate (4). In the case of catalysis with Rh(II), the trans/cis ratios of the cyclopropanes as well as the enantioselectivity change slightly upon going from the ylide 3a to diazoacetate 4.